What does a construction electrician do?
Construction electricians work on installing, wiring, and assembling electrical systems in residential and commercial buildings. To ensure that wires won't be dangling around the house, they install them upon partial completion of the building. They work with engineers to discuss how and where they can position the wires. These electricians install a building's electrical system for air conditioning, power, heat, etc. They set up transformers, circuit breakers, and fuse boxes to connect wires while following state and local wiring regulations.
Construction electrician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real construction electrician resumes:
- Manage installation of wire, conduit, switches and receptacles to meet electronic needs in diverse office spaces and facilities.
- Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
- Connect wiring to circuit breakers, transformers, motors, motor control cabinets, PLC's, and variable speed drives.
- Wire lights, motors, PLC, fire alarm systems, communications, and motor control centers.
- Bend EMT, IMC, and RMC conduit, with both hand hold and hydraulic benders.
- Bend EMT conduit and rigid pipe.
- Install underground PVC conduit and electrical vaults throughout the site.
- Install control circuits for HVAC units, chillers, boilers and pumps.
- Assemble and install the components that run the electrical system in the ambulance.
- Experience pulling groups of 12 Ga. wires in underground conduit and running 4 PVC pipe with concrete vaults.
- Fabricate and weld brackets, pull wire, install stress cones for high voltage terminations and wire in motor and switches.
- Demonstrate ability to read diagrams with PLC's with proximity switch indicators as well as terminate associate control and power wires.
- Connect generators, transformers, switchboards, and other electrically operate and control equipment.
- Supervise the training of junior electricians and HVAC personnel and provide electrical safety lectures.
- Propose a novel power management strategy optimizing trade-offs between fuel consumption and battery usage with accompanying MATLAB simulations.
Construction electrician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Construction Electricians are proficient in Transformers, Electrical Conduit, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Construction Electricians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Transformers, 8%
Connected generators, transformers, switchboards, and other electrically operated and controlled equipment.
- Electrical Conduit, 7%
Installed all types of electrical conduit from 1/2 - 4 inch using hand, electrical, and hydraulic benders.
- Hand Tools, 7%
Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical wiring, equipment and fixtures using hand tools and power tools.
- Ladders, 6%
Performed daily inspections with proper documentation on electrical tools, ladders and on motorized equipment.
- Electrical Equipment, 5%
Provided leadership for the installation, maintenance and operation of electrical equipment including backup generators and interior wiring circuits.
- NEC, 5%
Enforce and abide by quality control standards, electrical and project safety, and NEC Codes.
"transformers," "electrical conduit," and "hand tools" are among the most common skills that construction electricians use at work. You can find even more construction electrician responsibilities below, including:
Color vision. The most essential soft skill for a construction electrician to carry out their responsibilities is color vision. This skill is important for the role because "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Additionally, a construction electrician resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "provided daily interface of electrical fabrication shop activities to electrical construction supervision and electrical field engineering. "
Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of construction electricians is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday construction electrician duties, as "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "used power tools and understand physical demands during the process of installing commercial grade mc and emt. "
Troubleshooting skills. A big part of what construction electricians do relies on "troubleshooting skills." You can see how essential it is to construction electrician responsibilities because "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical construction electrician tasks: "respond to trouble calls to include building maintenance of indoor lighting and power systems to include troubleshooting. "
The three companies that hire the most construction electricians are:
- Lee45 construction electricians jobs
- Dixie Electric, LLC.5 construction electricians jobs
- Centurion Industries3 construction electricians jobs
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Compare different construction electricians
Construction electrician vs. Apprentice
An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between construction electricians and apprentice. For instance, construction electrician responsibilities require skills such as "transformers," "electrical conduit," "hand tools," and "ladders." Whereas a apprentice is skilled in "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Apprentices tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $44,876. In contrast, construction electricians make the biggest average salary, $51,692, in the finance industry.apprentices tend to reach similar levels of education than construction electricians. In fact, apprentices are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Construction electrician vs. Wireman
Sometimes called electrician apprentices, electrical apprentices assist the electricians in maintaining, repairing, and operating the electrical systems. Typically, they work in huge construction sites and facilities on their power distribution, lighting systems, and cables. These apprentices assist electricians in the installation of electrical systems. They have to be equipped with skills and knowledge in electrical equipment, installation, and safety regulations. It is also expected from them to become motivated team players and be well-organized.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, construction electrician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ladders," "ac," "distribution panels," and "power transformers." Meanwhile, a wireman has duties that require skills in areas such as "work ethic," "electrical systems," "safety standards," and "electrical schematics." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, wiremen achieve similar levels of education than construction electricians. They're 2.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Construction electrician vs. Electrical apprentice
A low voltage technician is responsible for monitoring and installing low-voltage cables and systems for electronic equipment and communication devices. Low voltage technicians analyze blueprints and schematics to connect the cables safely and accurately. They also conduct repairs for defective components and faulty wirings, recommending solutions and low-cost materials with high quality according to the customers' needs and budget limitations. A low voltage technician must have excellent electrical and organizational skills, especially in performing duties with utmost adherence to safety guidelines and procedures to prevent hazards and operational delays.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from construction electrician resumes include skills like "transformers," "ladders," "electrical equipment," and "nec," whereas an electrical apprentice is more likely to list skills in "run conduit," "electrical systems," "receptacles," and "defective electrical equipment. "
Electrical apprentices make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $46,514. On the other hand, construction electricians are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $51,692.Most electrical apprentices achieve a similar degree level compared to construction electricians. For example, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Construction electrician vs. Low voltage technician
Types of construction electrician
Updated January 8, 2025
